TRAFFIC IN DRUGS

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXI, Issue 21912, 22 September 1934, Page 3 (Supplement)

TRAFFIC IN DRUGS

MASTER MIND'S CLEVERNESS DUPING THE AUTHORITIES The " Drug Squad " at Marseilles was recently duped by the Master Mind of the Drug Traffickers. He is known as Le Pere, but who he is nobody, except perhaps his immediate lieutenants, knows. The Commissaire of the " Drug Squad " had just returned to his office in the Place de la Joliette after the seizure of 20001b. of opium and the arrest of five smugglers when the telephone rang. "Le Pere speaking," a voice informed him. Cynically Le Pere thanked the commissaire for the arrests, explaining that he had arranged the coup, as the agents concerned were men he wanted put out of the way. " While you have been busying yourselves over that small haul," Le Pere went on, "we have just 'landed nearly five tons of opium. I thought you would like to know," he added, and slammed down the receiver. The " Drug Squad " realise that their quarry consists of some very astute brains. The " cruising cripple " is one of the squad's recent captures. This man, whose legs were twisted beneath him, would be carried on an ornate mattress to luxury cruising liners. The man said he was a rich Frenchman who had met with a motoring accident. For many months he lived this life of luxury, until one day a newly transferred police officer recognised him as old Henri, who used to beg for alms outside Notre Dame, in Paris. Henri was searched, and in his mattress was found a large quantity of heroin. It was revealed that one of the " drug kings " had selected him for luxury-liner smuggling, realising that his affliction would allay suspicion.